Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a member of the Apiaceae family, native to Mediterranean Region, Middle East, and Southern Europe. Traditionally, its leaves, stems, and flowers have been used for culinary uses, infusions, and decoctions.

This herb is particularly valued for its carminative, anti-inflammatory, and bitter actions, and has a long history of use in european herbal medicine, mediterranean herbal traditions, and japanese kampo medicine.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) dried pieces of the herb arranged on a wooden table for reference — Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) dried pieces of the herb arranged together on a wooden table for reference, used in teas and remedies.

Quick Facts / Key Information

Common Name	Parsley
Scientific Name	Petroselinum crispum
Plant Family	Apiaceae
Genus	Petroselinum
Species	crispum
Native Range	Mediterranean Region, Middle East, Southern Europe
Plant Parts Used	Leaves, Stems, Flowers
Primary Medicinal Actions	Carminative, Anti-Inflammatory, Bitter
Primary Traditional Systems	European Herbal Medicine, Mediterranean Herbal Traditions, Japanese Kampo Medicine
Historical Preparation Methods	Culinary Use, Infusion, Decoction

Botanical Identity

Scientific Name: Petroselinum crispum
Common Name: Parsley
Synonyms / Alternative Names: Italian Parsley, Curly Parsley, Italian Parsley
Plant Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Petroselinum

Botanical Description

Growth Habit: Perennial herbaceous plant.
Height: It typically grows to a height of 30 to 60 centimeters.
Leaves: Bipinnate leaves with upper surface green and lower surface pale green, featuring prominent stomatal bands.
Flowers: Inflorescence composed of solitary umbellate clusters, each bearing small white flowers with four petals, actinomorphic symmetry, and prominent yellow stamens.
Stems: Cylindrical, hollow, ridged, and pithy stems with a distinctive crinkled surface, exhibiting a branching pattern of opposite and alternate arrangement, and having a fibrous, woody structure.

Traditional Uses / Historical Use

Traditional Systems

European Herbal Medicine
Mediterranean Herbal Traditions
Japanese Kampo Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine

Historical Preparation Methods

Culinary Use
Infusion
Decoction
Poultice

Medicinal Actions

Carminative: Historically regarded as a warming carminative, in relation to gastrointestinal comfort.
Anti-inflammatory: As described in traditional systems, a gentle anti-inflammatory, for irritation-related applications.
Bitter: Traditionally described as a soothing bitter, in bitter herb groupings.
Tonic: Commonly referenced as a cooling tonic, for broad-use formulations.

Active Compounds

Essential Oil: Volatile plant-derived substances commonly present in leaves and flowers.
Flavonoid: A group of naturally occurring compounds commonly present in many flowering plants.
Coumarin: Naturally occurring lactone compounds distributed across various plant tissues.
Phenolic Acid: Simple phenolic molecules widely distributed across plant tissues.

Modern Research Overview

This section is reserved for future summaries of scientific research related to this plant. As additional verified sources are reviewed, relevant study information will be added here.

Safety & Contraindications

General Precautions: Some general precautions have been associated with the use of this herb.
Contraindications: There is insufficient evidence to determine specific contraindications related to this herb.
Allergies: There is insufficient evidence to determine whether this herb commonly causes allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions: Available information regarding interactions with pharmaceutical drugs is limited.
Toxicity: There is insufficient evidence to determine the toxic potential of this herb.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Available information regarding use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is limited.

Preparation & Usage Methods

Infusion: Dried or fresh plant parts are infused in hot water and consumed as a beverage.
Decoction: A preparation method involving prolonged boiling of roots, bark, or dense plant material.
Poultice: This method uses direct contact between plant material and the skin.
Culinary Use: Leaves, flowers, or roots are used as ingredients in culinary preparations.
Infused Oil: Oil infusions capture plant compounds using lipid-based solvents.

Growing, Harvesting & Storage

Growing / Cultivation

Soil: Prefers loamy soil with well-drained conditions. Typically grows best in organically rich soils.
Sunlight: Thrives in full sun. Tolerates full sun to partial shade.
Watering: Prefers well-balanced moisture levels. Tolerates periodic dry conditions.